LBSS Faculty of Law Business and Social Sciences Law Accountancy Business and Management Central and East European Studies Economics Economic and Social History Politics Sociology and Anthropology Urban Studies

LBSS effective oral and written communication skills the ability to think critically and creatively planning and organising effective time management the ability to work with others to achieve common goals the ability to solve problems the ability to learn and continue learning Faculty Survey Skills Identified by Faculty staff

LBSS Which of the above identified skills does your Department already provide? Which of the identified skills that are not already taught or assessed could be addressed or developed within the Department? Which of the skills do you believe would require external or centrally provided input? Is there scope to teach and/or assess courses in a different way if it would help to develop the identified important skills? Is this explicit enough to students? Can students recognise that employability skills are included in the teaching or assessment of courses? What specific resources would be needed by your Department to develop the identified employability skills within your courses? Questions to Departments

LBSS Which of the above identified skills does your Department already provide? All of the above skills are contained within the degree, however, not all are necessarily taught or assessed. There was concern about the notion of teaching skills in a research-led institution where the emphasis has historically been towards independent learning.

LBSS Which of the identified skills that are not already taught or assessed could be addressed or developed within the Department? Effective oral communication skills: however, a substantial reorganisation of tutorials would be required, including additional teaching resources to permit appropriate reduction of Level 1 & 2 tutorial sizes

LBSS Which of the skills do you believe would require external or centrally provided input? Most of the employability skills available though our courses are acquired incidentally, but acquisition could probably benefit by the central provision of explicit training by those appropriately trained to do this

LBSS Is there scope to teach and/or assess courses in a different way if it would help to develop the identified important skills? There are a number of individuals who have used and are developing alternative methods of assessment e.g. reflective diaries, work related learning and peer assessment. Therefore over the the degree students may (if they select certain courses) experience different methods.

LBSS Can students recognise that employability skills are included in the teaching or assessment of courses? Students probably are not aware of the skills contained within courses. A detailed skills map is currently being undertaken within the department and subsequently a student document will be written outlining skills explicitly.

LBSS What specific resources would be needed by your Department to develop the identified employability skills within your courses? The main inhibitor to developing these types of employability skills is staff time and research pressure.

LBSS The Business and Management Model integrate employability within academic curriculum introduce personal development planning (PDP) for reflection of academic achievement, personal and career development increase work-related opportunities deliver effective careers education, information and guidance prepare for work in the global and local economy

LBSS Knowledge of organisations and how they are managed, external environment and the future of organisations Critical thinking analysis and synthesis Effective problem solving and decision making Effective oral and written communication skills using a range of media which are used in industry e.g. preparation and presentation of business reports Numeracy and quantitative skills Effective use of information and communication technology (ICT) Effective self management (e.g. time management, self starting) Appetite for learning Self awareness, sensitivity and openness to diversity Effective performance within a team Interpersonal skills including listening and negotiating Abilities to conduct research into business issues Address issues at the European and international level The BEST Skills (Business Education Support Team)

LBSS Learning & Teaching ProcessEmployability Skills Overall course contentKnowledge of organisations Addresses issues at European and International level Academic underpinnings for Team Work, Self Motivation and Self Awareness Critical writing and critical thinking exercises Critical thinking analysis and synthesis Case study work in tutorialsEffective problem solving and decision making Effective performance within a team Reflection on work experiences in tutorial exercises Self awareness, sensitivity and openness to diversity Primary research, students must interview a manager as part of an assignment Ability to conduct research into business issues Effective oral and written communication skills ExaminationCritical thinking analysis and synthesis Business and Management level 1

LBSS ContentLearning and Teaching Process Employability Skills Knowledge of Business Planning Small amount of formal lecturing Group work to produce a business plan Peer assessment On-going self reflection diary Knowledge of organisations Written communication Critical thinking Team working Self reflection Interpersonal skills Numeracy skills Business and Management Honours Entrepreneurship and Business Planning

LBSS ContentLearning and Teaching Process Employability Skills Knowledge of SMEsVery little formal lecturing Course is based on projects in SMEs Research a business problem Present to client and class Produce a business report On-going self reflection diary Knowledge of organisations Written communications (a business report) Critical thinking Learning Self awareness Interpersonal skills Research Problem solving Business and Management Honours Small Business Placement

LBSS Strongly disagreeStrongly agree Knowledge of organisations and how they are managed Critical thinking, analysis and thinking Effective problem solving and decision making Effective oral and quantitative skills Numeracy and quantitative skills Effective use of IT Effective interpersonal skills Business and Management Honours Students Assessment of Transferable Skills Developed

LBSS Business and Management Evaluation of Results Subject understanding is well developed Communication skills are well covered Soft Skills, Team working, Self management and Interpersonal Skills, are generally well covered Self Awareness is less well covered Hard Skills, Numeracy and ICT are less well developed Appetite for Learning is not measured

LBSS Business and Management Discussion Points To what extent are competences built up from level 1 to senior honours To what extent do students actually have the competences, i.e. can they be assessed Do students recognise these competences How do we measure the success of an employability strategy

LBSS Accountancy and Finance Developing Employability & Learning Skills in 1 st Year Classes A positive effect on thinking about skills Most effect on Communications and Presentations Less effect on problem modelling and solution Some impact on responsibility for their own learning

LBSS Accountancy and Finance Evaluation Methods Used QuestionnairesStill awaited Focus GroupsBest source of feedback Reflective JournalsIneffective Course AssessmentsProblematic

LBSS Accountancy and Finance Methodology Two Courses Identified, Business Statistics 1 and Management Accounting 1 A Focus on Tutorials Create a degree of ambiguity Use of case studies

LBSS Urban Studies Values in Action An Honours elective An Introduction to the Theory of Experiential Learning Work Placement Opportunities in Welfare Agencies Tutorials with Reflective and Critical Thinking